To Grandma's House We Go!

We got to spend Conference weekend in Salt Lake and Grandma and Grandpa Herbison's House!  Can I just say I love going home!  I love going home to my Mom's house.  There is just something about it.  I didn't realize how much I miss the mountains and the seasons and even the smoggy air until we got out of the car and the cool air hit me.   We had a great time!  Here are some of the highlights...

Grandma and Grandpa Herbison and the boys.  They had so much fun with them.  Grandpa showed them his garden and let them pick tons of carrots and tomatoes...Yumm!  Grandma had lots and lots for them to do.  (She has now resorted to handing out money for prizes...sweet!  They loved it!)

 We went up the canyon for a picnic and to see the colors and to take some bridal shots of Tara...  She looks so pretty!

Took some pics of the kids too...  Dallin still has those baby teeth...LOL!

                                                                                                                                                               

Alex is getting  bigger every day...

 

 Derrick has that smile on his face wherever he goes...

 Zeke is as full of life as ever!

This was the best we could do at posing four little boys for a picture

 

 This was more like it...DOG PILE!!!

Say Cheese!

This is my favorite picture.  FAMILY!  I love them.  The food was great, the colors were beautiful!  I love being in the mountains!  Don and Jenni came with their grandson,  it was so good to see them too!

 

 On the way home we stopped in at Dustin's mom and Dad's to say hi and of coarse we got spoiled with food again!  This is Dustin's Grandma Alldredge.  Four Generations all together---sweet.

I have officially joined the "Coupon Club".  For a few years now I have been diggin my heals in and making excuses as to why I though coupons were dumb and a HUGE time consumer, but a  few weeks ago I stopped into Albertsons on my way home from work and got behind a lady that paid I think $1.39 for 9 boxes of Mac and Cheese and I had to questions my coupon convictions.  Was a little time really worth the beneift of saving money?  So I decided to get on the coupon wagon and gave myself a two month trial period.  I made a goal to stick with it and do all the deals and clipping and organizing into a binder for two month, keep track of what I saved/spent to once and for all decided if I was just being stuobborn or if there was really something to this after all.  Well I have now been "on the wagon" for 4 weeks and I can't believe all the money I have saved!!  Plus I am having a ton of fun in th mean time.  I love to get a bargain, and this satisfies both the craving for shopping and bargain hunting and actually stocking up the shelves with things that usually cost a ton of money.  This has been my best deal so far...I got all of the things pictured above at Smith for a grand total of $27!  My origianly sub total was $120 so I was stoked when it went all the way down to $27!  Even the lady behind me was impressed.  She said, "Now that's how you shop with coupons!"  So much fun!  I am hooked! (Not to mention I now have all my kids "class treats" for the next six months!  Wahoo!)

Dustin' Shelves!!!

Dustin' Shelves is finally up and running!  Dustin has launched a new "business" making shelves and other home decor!  Something he has always been good at and enjoyed. He's had tons of people over the years ask him to make them anything from shelves to toyboxs to entertainment centers (mostly me LOL!) and he does such a great job that he's decided to make it a "small" but hopefully sucessful business!  The stuff he's kicked out of his workshop in just the past few weeks has been way cool and he's sold all of it in a day or two and has orders for more!  Way to go Dust!  Check out his website www.dustinshelves.com to see all that he can or has done!  I can't wait to see what he builds next!  Wish I could keep it all.  Way to go Dusty!

 

 

10 Years and Counting!

Today makes our wedding official ten years later!  Whew!  We've come a long way huh?  Four kids, one black dog, moved to St. George...and a bunch of stuff in between.  LOL!  Happy Anniversary Dust'!  I'm glad you are mine and I am yours!  Love ya!

10th Anniversary Traditional Gift:

Tin or aluminum. The pliability of tin and aluminum is a symbol of how a successful marriage needs to be flexible and durable and how it can be bent without being broken.

10th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:

Diamond jewelry. A marriage that lasts ten years is as durable and beautiful as a diamond.

10th Anniversary Gemstone:

Diamond jewelry or blue sapphire.

10th Anniversary Color:

Silver or blue.

10th Anniversary Flower:

Daffodil. Trumpet-shaped daffodils represent joy, cheerfulness, and happiness.

He Did It!

Derrick's first day of Pre-school was eventful to say the least...

He was all smiles and couldn't wait to go to school!  We got there, took his picture and everything was great...until we got inside.  He was a little intimidated and didn't want to stay.  Ran out of the school and I had to chase him down and DRAG him back in there.  I finally just had to leave him crying.  I sat out in the car until another mom told me he was fine.  I felt like I had wronged him or something...sad.

This is what I found when I went to pick him up!  Smiles from ear to ear!  He had a great time!  Hurray!  He loves school!

A side note:
We were on our way home and he started digging through his backpack to show me all the things he got to do and he found some crayons and "lipstick" (lip balm) from who knows when.  Dallin used this backpack a few times and he wanted to use it too.  Anyway, he got all excited and said "Thanks Mom!  You put these crayons and "lip-stick" in just for me?!? You are just the greatest!"  I felt like a great mom...he was happy...life is good!!!

*Special thanks to the crayon/"lip-stick" fairy for making our day! LOL!

Our canning jars runneth over!

One Hundred and Ten QUARTS!!!  (That's the BIG Jars!)  Need I say more?

                                                                                                                                                                 

The Church farm had a surplus this year of peaches and were giving them away to anyone who would take them.  Whoot!  So while I was at work Saturday, I asked Dustin if he would take the boys and grab some to can.  I canned a ton last year and we've enjoyed them all year long!  The boys love them so I figured why not?  This is what I came home to... Four HUGE laundry baskets busting at the seams!  They did an awesome job and we had our work cut out for us!

  

Dustin and I canned for four days straight!  We bottled, boiled, dehydrated, you name it we did it!  Grandma and Grandpa Herbison were down to bring Julie back from her knee surgery and Grandma made yummy cobbler.  If you could do it with a peach we did... There is nothing like looking at all those jars on the counter though and knowing you have something to turn to when times get bad.  They turned out beautiful!  We are all stocked up again for another year!  Wahoo!

 

the fair is a veritable smorgasbord....

We decided to put our brave faces on and take the kids to the fair this year...thought it would be a good chance to practice for Disneyland...We learned a few things...

 I learned something about myself...I love the crowds!  The people!  The smells!  The Ferris Wheel!  I love it all.  I love to be in the action.  I like to watch everyone and their faces.  I LOVE fresh kettle corn!  I like the booths and walking around for hours.  Fun!  I learned that Dustin hates crowds and people.  He was a good sport! :P

 

 The kids learned about the animals...they loved them!  (They also learned that there is a difference between water and pee and that you should watch your step!  Dustin was watching all their steps...we were driving his truck that night!  LOL!

 

  Zeke learned about Wilbur the pig!  He loves Charlotte's Web and got a kick out of this little pig.  I thought it was cute that he was squatting down to get on eye level with the thing.

We learned that Dallin and Derrick had no fear!  They jumped right on the roller coaster first thing...

We learned that Alex was a little hesitant...he likes to make sure it's safe.  He was only to happy to watch the first go around and make sure Dallin and Derrick didn't "Die".

We learned that the the fair is a veritable smorgasbord and there is fun for everyone. Whoot!

 

We learned that Zeke had no fear either, but he was a littel too short!  He was very mad that he couldn't join the others on the rollar coaster.  Luckily Dad helped him find a ride that he was tall enough for.

JuSt AnOtHeR OrDiNaRy DaY!

This is what a "Typical Day" at our house looks like.  The boys had their friends over and I just happened to catch them all sitting in a row watching a show (it was fun while it lasted...they never sit there long!) at the end of the day!  All boy every one of them.  It was funny, I told them to smile and they were so involved in the movie (believe it or not it was Mary Poppins...I know weird huh?  I had it on while I was doing the dishes hoping maybe just Zeke would get into it and keep him quiet for a sec...) and they were all smiling these fake smiles trying to just get me out of the way so they could see the boob tube!  It was hilarious.

Dallin and his BEST FRIEND Carson

Like I said, the quiet movie watching didn't last long...they decided it would be more fun to pose for the pictures.  Thought they were being all tuff.  I thought it was funny that Dallin thinks he is so tuff sporting the "I Love You" sign in sign launguage.  Sweet.

Happy School Year!!!!

This begins another school year and for me a good look and time marching by...  It's so funny how you really do blink...and miss it!  The boys seem so big all of a sudden.  So grown up.  They are way excited for this new adventure!  I am excited for them...here is a glimpse of our first few days.

Dallin started school first on the 11th of August.  (Kindergarten had to do some testing for a week before Alex could get his foot in the door.  Some changes from last year for Dallin are #1 he doesn't feel like he needs to wait for the other kids to walk down to the bus stop any more.  He went all by himself!  I wanted to bawl watching him go alone, but he was determined!  I admit I watched off the deck until he got on the bus.  He was all smiles...ear to ear!  His teacher this year is Mrs. Myer and he is in the same class as Carson (his best friend).  They were so excited at the end of last year to learn that they would be in the same class! He asked to wear his hair differnt the year...spikey in the front. (Don't even ask about the callics...they are getting worse!  Sigh... poor kid!)

Alex was a little nervous about the first day the night before, and I admit that I was a little nervouse for him.  We went over to the school the day before and walked him through the routine of getting off the bus and trecking to the door where he would line up, telling Dallin the whole time not to lose track of him and to help him get where he needed to go.  I have also been dreading trying to get this kid up that early and fed and dressed.  He's not the best early bird  in our house.  Very grumpy in the mornings.  I went in on the first day and he practically jumped out of the bed and had eaten and was dressed within 10 mineuts!  He was so excited!  Whew!  It's been that way ever sense.  No fighting.  No hassles.  Just up and at 'em!  Yay!  Alex has always been very maticulous about his clothes and making sure they are "cool" enough.  That is the only thing we have had a few spats about in the morning.  What "cool" shirt he will be wearing.  I am figuring out that we should discuss it and plan it out the night before.  A lot less drama!!  He looked great!  His favorite color this year is RED!  Sorry Grandpa Alldredge...Red is the new blue!  LOL!

This is a close-up of Dallin in front of his school door!  He was so excited to show us where is was! He still hasn't lost any of his baby teeth!  Not even a loose one yet!  He wiggles each of them individually every night trying to will them to fall out.  He didn't get to put any stars on the "Toothless Chart" in Kindergarten or 1st grade and he is determined not to be left out this year.  I secretly like the cute little baby teeth : P

Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho!  It's off to school they go!  WhaHoo!  (I'm not excited or anything!) They looked so grown up!

Close-up of Alex on his new playground!  So excited to try everything out!

I couldn't stand it.  I sent them down to the bus stop and then had to drive down to make sure Alex did ok.  I know, I know...paranoid Mom!  I found him pacing back and forth waiting for the bus.  He couldn't wait!

The  Bus Stop Gang! These are the kids that the boys play with.  Great kids!  I am glad we live in a neighborhood full of good kids and families.

Here comes the sun...whoops!  I mean the bus!

There is nothing like having a big brother to walk you through things and keep you distracted on your first big day of Kindergarten.  Dallin is such a great big brother.  He was meant to be.  He's always lookin' out for Alex...always.

There they go!

This is Alex's teacher "Ms. Gardner".  She is very nice.  Alex loves her!  A side note to the first day of Kindergarten...I went to pick Alex up and he was all smiles and looked like he had had a great day!  He saw me in the parking lot coming accross the street to get him and started to bawl.  He started yelling at me that he was not coming home with me he wanted to ride the bus home!  I pick him up and we go straight to the play ground so the bus ride home is not an option.  I felt like a crappy mom.  He wouldn't talk to me until after we got home.  He was very mad.  He wanted to stay at school and ride home with Dallin.  He can't wait to be "Older like in 1st grade so he can eat lunch there and ride the bus with the cool kids!"  I'm glad he had such a great first day minus the "pick-up" drama!

Derrick starts Pre-School this year.  He is not so excited just yet.  He starts the week after Labor Day and so far he tells me every day that he's not going.  I simply tell him that he is going and that's that!  LoL!  We are going to have a crazy schedule this school year and it's back to living in the car for me and Zeke.  It's get the kids up at 7:30, get Dallin and Alex out the door by 8, get Derrick to Preschool by 9, pick up Derrick at 11, pick up Alex at 11:45, head to the playground until 1:30 then get home to catch Dallin of the bus by 3:30. Whew!  If anyone needs to reach me...call my cell!  LOL!

Sense we were taking pictures of Dallin and Alex on the first day, Derrick and Zeke wanted in on the action and what mom doens't want lots of pictures?  These two have changed a ton over the summer too!  Derrick has grown taller and skinnier.  He can't sit still and loves to laugh...all the time.  He is a HUGE teaser!  Loves to make Zeke scream!  Zeke is just about the same size and Derrick.  Everywhere we go people ask how old my twins are.  Funny!  He's a brusier.  He thinks he's 2 going on 20.  Very independent.  It's driving me nuts!  Hopefuly someday I will count it as a good thing...someday!

Derrick

Our littlest guy!  All grown up and ready to go!

In my efforts to take cool pictures with my camera I did get a couple good shots of the boys!  Loved these two of Zeke.   He's smiling!  Hurray!

He's still got some baby left in him yet!  Cute little cheeks!

To all the moms out there...HAPPY SCHOOL YEAR!  Wahoo! We made it through another summer! 

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Most of you that know me know I can't sit still for long and I love to try new things! When we were engaged my Dad told Dustin he had a "Tiger by the Tail" and Dustin is always bringing that up when I'm on the prowl for a good project! I thought it would be fun to make note of the things I've been trying out...maybe it's something you'd like to try out too. Some of them have been flops, some really fun, some very time consuming and tedious, but it's kept us busy this summer...here's what we've been up to! I finally did it! Dehydrated peaches that actually taste good! I have to give credit where credit it due here... Dustin's Mom let me in on the secret to making really good dehydrated peaches. Cut them up, boil them in sugar water for 3 min. before putting them on the dryer and don't them them dry too long! Soooo yummy! I actually want to do more of these...anyone getting rid of excess peaches? Send them my way!
Super hero capes! Last year I got the pattern from Melissa and made some of these reversible capes for a boutique and for the boys for Christmas. They loved them! I've had people asking for them so I thought I would get a jump on having some on hand to sell and I made 20 of them! Whew! They are tedious and I am sick of it, but I am glad to have a stock pile of them. So fun! My kids play with theirs all the time. It make it worth the work!
Dustin's Mom came down for a few days to bring Kristi and DeniAnn back to School. She is an empty nester now...Sad. We love her pickled beats and we are constantly begging her for them all year long. So she brought a whole box down for us to can and she even helped Dustin bottle them all while I was at work Saturday morning! He was proud, and I am happy to have a stock pile of them. Yummy! Thanks Mom!



I have been experimenting with recipes that would be good for treat plates come Christmastime. These take the cake! Dipped pretzels and homemade turtles! Sooo good! We worked out a lot of the kinks and the caramel was to die for! Next time they will look prettier, but I was pretty proud of these babies! VERY GOOD, but not good for you! LOL!
Now that Dustin is working a few nights a week I have been catching up on my crocheted blankets. I keep bringing fabric home from work and figured I should use some of it. I love crocheting. Something relaxing about it. Totally grandma I know, but oh well! I took one up to Dustin's Mom's to work on while we were there and she asked if she could take it and give it to one of the ladies she visit teaches that had just had a baby. I was so excited to give it to her. She's the one who taught me how to crochet in the first place and if she thinks it's good enough to give away then it means I'm getting better! There is so much to learn with this art...love it!
I have had this purse design floating around in my head for months now. I see all these cute handmade bags at work and I like different things about all of them so I decided to try and put them all together and this is what I came up with. There is some flaws...it's not perfect, but it was way fun making it! I still haven't put it to use though...it took so long to make I don't want to use it and get it dirty! LOL! I can't take credit for the wallet either, DeniAnn made that for me with the extra fabric! So cute!